White Mulberry (Common Mulberry)
Morus alba · Moraceae (Mulberry family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Ovated to lobed (specifically mitten-shaped or irregularly lobed with 1-3 lobes)
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Palmate-pinnate hybrid venation with prominent yellowish primary and secondary veins radiating from the base
Key Features
Highly variable leaf shape on a single tree (unlobed, mitten-shaped, or deeply multi-lobed), coarsely serrated margins, milky sap in twigs and petioles, and prominent palmate base veins
Description
Morus alba is a fast-growing deciduous tree or large shrub that can reach heights of 30 to 50 feet. It features a rounded, dense crown, rough gray-brown bark, and alternate leaves famously known for their extreme morphological variation—even on the same branch, some leaves are unlobed and heart-shaped while others feature deep mitten-like thumbs. It produces aggregate blackberry-like fruit that ripens from white to pink and finally dark purple or black.
Habitat
Thrives in disturbed areas, forest edges, urban environments, roadsides, and open woodlands in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil
Native Range
Native to temperate Asia (primarily China); widely naturalized and invasive across North America, Europe, and parts of South America